Dr. Monica Reed: Runner-up

Dr. Monica Reed of Florida Hospital Celebration Health is one of the Sentinel Editorial Board's runners-up for Central Floridian of the Year.

Dr. Monica Reed of Florida Hospital Celebration Health is one of the Sentinel Editorial Board's runners-up for Central Floridian of the Year.

Dr. Monica Reed: The CEO of Florida Hospital Celebration Health knew from the time she was in grade school that she wanted to go into medicine. She dreamed of not only treating patients, but also solving "big problems." She's living that dream as the head of a hospital that is both a regional center for health and wellness and a destination for learning that attracts medical professionals from around the world. Some Central Floridians might still remember her from pre-CEO days, when she reported on medical news for WFTV-Channel 9. As a woman of color, she's a trailblazer and role model in her current position. Under her leadership in 2013, Celebration Health opened its Women's Institute to provide a wide range of high-quality care and treatment in one location. Reed radiates enthusiasm about her career. When she exclaims that she finds her work "absolutely thrilling," you believe her.